A Ukrainian protestor was escorted off of the Cannes 2023 red carpet after she poured bags of blood
The Cannes Film Festival 2023 pulled an influencer off the red carpet after she doused herself in fake blood in an attempt to stage a protest.
The influencer in question, Ilona Chernobai, a Ukrainian fitness trainer who boasts of a million followers on Instagram, walked on the steps of the Palais dressed in a blue and yellow gown, a symbol of the Ukrainian flag.
She proceeded to pull out bags of fake blood that were hidden in her dress and began pouring them on herself as security rushed to remove her from the red carpet.
Following the incident, she took to Instagram to defend her actions as she wrote: "The action was in support of the occupied territories and our people who live there."
"On the red carpet of the 76th Cannes Film Festival, I came out in a dress in the colors of our flag and poured red paint on myself," Chernobai wrote, as per a translation by Variety.
"I used my chance and with this act I reminded what is happening in Ukraine!!!"
She continued, "Unfortunately, I can no longer post all the events in stories, like many bloggers, because Instagram destroys everything! But my page is under threat of deletion! I am very glad that my act spread all over the world media! People should not forget about us!"
"I am with Ukraine in my heart," she said. "I did what I had to do!"
She added that she was now "banned from the festival" as well as other events but insisted that "it’s worth it".
The event comes after the city of Cannes issued a ban on protests on the Croisette and nearby amid the festival.